Universal joint.



G. LW. SRIGBR. YUNIVERSAL JOINT. APPLIOTION IILBDAUG. 3, 1910.

Patented June 27, 1.911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

o )iM/Leoncio i i M mf Q. W. SPIGER. UNIVERSAL JOINT.

ABELIUATION FILED AUG. 3, 1910. 1

Patented June 27, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W 1. M11 Y @WMM incased double universal regular section. line m-w rinrrnnfsinrns rufifnivejonll y CIJRENCE w. sPIcER, oFPLArnFi-Enn, NEWUJERSY.

A Specication of Letters Patent., vApplication tiled August 3, 1910. Ser1a.1-No.

i'o all 'whom 'it may concemrf. g j ,f

Be it known that I, CLARENCE W. Spicer,

a citizen of the United States -of America,

and 'a resident of Plainfield, county of Union', and State of New Jersey, have in' vented certain new and useful Improvements in Universal J oints, is a specification.

My invention relates to ldouble universal of which the followingjoints, wherein two universal joints are ineluded within the same structure, also to combined universal and slipA joints, andto joints; and my invention consists in the novel features of construction and` arrangement hereinafter 'described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The objects of my invention are to improve the construction of universal joints and particularly of double universal joints, combined universal-and slip joints, and incased universal joints, and to vmake such joints simple, compact, efficient, durable and reliable. j' l I'will' now proceed to describe my invention with reference to the accompanying Ydrawings and will then point out the novel features in claims.

In saidA drawings: Figure 1 shows an elevation and partial longitudinal section of a 'double incased universal -joint and slip joint embodying my invention; Fig. 2 shows a transverse section of said joint on the irof Fig.' 4l; Fig. 3 shows 'transverse section through the slip' jointand case on the line y-fy of Fig. l. 'Figlie shows a longitudinal eleva tion and partial section of a similar double universal joint provided with an alternative form of casing, and Fig. 5 is another elevation of such joint, the plane ofthe view being at right angles to'that of Fig. 4.. Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal section of a further alternative structure, inf which each of the two universal jointsf-is'of the so-called T head in slot type, embodying, therefore,-

both a universal joint and a slip joint.

The universal jointsfsho'w'n in the figures above referred to, while well adaptedY for general use, are especially adapted for use in automobiles,'betwee`n lthe motor and transmission mechanism, where the parts are normally in line but may for. one reason or an- The constructions other get out of line.

here-'shown willpermit the eicient transation..4

Patented .time er, ieri. 5751333;

mission of power from one shaftor'rotting member to-another shaft or rotating member, when the aXis of rotation lof one' such member is offset somewhat, with'relation to the axis `ofvrotation of the othermeiuber, Whether said axes be also angularly related or not. The universal joints shown in said tigures are not, however, restrictedV to use between the motor and transmission lmechanism of automobiles, but :are adapted for use wherever rotation is tobe transmitted from one member to another, and where the axes of rotation of the -two members are or may get out of line', veither -angularly or by reason of an ofset of the one axis with respect to the'other. The slip joints comprised in these universal joints-provide suticient longitudinal movement not only .to allow for the longitudinal movement necessary in the angular operation ofthe joints,

gear' shifting inV automobile transmissions andthelilre.

Referring first to Figs. 1,- 2 and 3,?the joint structure shown in these drawings' comprises two similar universal joints each substantially of the construction shown in my Patent N o. 826,448, dated July 17, 1906, comprising each, a disk l, adapted toj be secured to a shaft flange or to a fly wheel, or to other suitable rotating driving vor driven members, and a shaft member,1numbered` but also 'to allow -for clutch movement/*or 2,1111 the one case and '3' inthe 'other case,

said two shaft members litting one within the other so as to form' a yslip joint, as hereinafter described; and trunnion blocks 4.

The two members l are provided withfbearing-horns 5 within which -lit `bearing-:bushings 6 surrounding .journals 7' projecting from thetrunnion blocks' 4; and 'the shaft members-2 and 3, have corresponding bearing horns 8 receiving 'similarl'bearing bushings. 6 tting over other similar journals 7 projecting Afrom the trunnion blocks; This construction of luniversal Vjoint is now Well 'known and 'requires no vfurther description here either as to construction or as to opershaft 2 is Sql-wie, as' :unicam in vboth Figs'l and 3, and-.shaft member 3 is provided' with av corresponding square aperture receiving member 2, the two together forminga slip joint which, owing to the.massive-,

ness of the parts, and tothe rconsiderable`v length of engaging surfaces, are adapted to l mately spherically curved rear sides of the bearing-horns of members 2 and 3. To close the space between these two casing members 9, I provide a telescopic closure comprising two tubular members 10 and 11 fitting one within the other, the one engaging the spherical surface of one casing member 9, the other engaging the corresponding surface of the other member 9, both of these telescopic members preferably provided with packing material 12 located within'grooved ribs 13 formed on said telescopic members by pressing or spinning or similar operation; and said closure comprises further a compression spring 14 surrounding said members, and bearing at the ends against the.said ribs 13 and tending to press the two members apart and thereby'to hold them in engagement with lthe said spherical surfaces. By the constructionthus described the working parts of the two universal `joints and of the slipjoint formed by mem- 4bers 2 and 3, are completely inclo'sed and the casing formed by members 9, 10 and 11, said casing closed at its ends by members 1,

is so tight that it'may contain lubricant and will retain such lubricant for a long period v of time, besides excluding dust, water, etc.

As is well known, for the transmission of uniform rotary motion by universal joints from one shaft to another shaft angularly related to it, two universal joints are required. The structure described provides such two joints within a single compact invclosure and also permits the two members 1 to lrotate even though their axes of rotation be considerably offset withrespect to one another.

The form'of the casing members immediately inclosing the universal joints is not necessarily spherical. In Figs. 4 and 5 I` illustrate casing members there .designated by numerals 15 which are of the type illustrated in Fig. 4 of -my Patent No. .958,023;

that is to say, said casing members have working surfaces 15a of cylindrical curvature, the axes of suchlcylindrically curved vsurfaces being at right angles and intersecting at the center of the point; the axis of each such cylindrical surfac'e being substantially the same as the axis about which its corresponding member of the universal joint oscillates. In other respects this joint shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is substantially the same'4 as that shown in Figs. 1, 2 and3. The universal joints themselves are not necessarily of the type shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, l

but may be jolnts of othertype-for example, of the T-head in slot type. Such a joint is illustrated in Fig. 6. The construction of the individual universal joints of thisl structure is substantially that illustrated in my Patent No. 919,651, dated April 27 ,'1909, each such joint comprising a jaw member 16 and a shaft member 17,

thejaw memberv 16 having a transverse slot the surfaces of which form guides for bearing blocks 18 adapted to slide between ways 19 formed on jaw member 16, said bearing blocks 18 'being mounted upon pivot pins 2O projecting from al spherically curved head 21 provided on the end of shaft member 17; this spherical head 21 fitting within a bearing bushing or bearing box 22, the internal curvature of which is spherical, corresponding to that of the head 21, the external form of this head corresponding to the form of the corresponding surfaces 23 of the jaw member 16. As explained in my said Patent No.v 919,651, such a joint is a combined universal joint and slip joint. The jaw member 16 is provided with' an inclosing casing member 24 having an end 25 which is approximately spherical. Telescopic sleeves 10 and 11 corresponding substantially in all respects to the similarly numbered sleeves, of the joint shown in Figs. 1,

2 and 3, bear at their `ends against these spherically curved end pieces 25, being forced thereagainst by a spring 14.

Since in the construction shown in Fig. 6 the universal joints themselves are slip joints, there is no occasion for providing a special slip joint between lthe two universal joints, as in the construction shown in Figs. 1-5 inclusive. u

In another Patent No. 806,592, dated December 5, 1905, I have illustrated another incased double universal joint comprising also a slip joint, but which differs in construction somewhat from the joints herein illustrated and described. These joints, while embodying the broad invention of the joint of said patent, possess numerous ady vantages of structure and are more compact.

1. An incased universal joint for power transmission, comprising in combination two connected power transmitting universal joints providedwith casing members, and a closure intermediate said members and comprising two telescopically-related members, one bearing against the one casing member, and theother against the other casing member.

2. An incased universal joint for power transmission, comprising in combination two connected `power transmitting universal joints provided with casing members, and a closure intermediate said members and comprising two telescopically-relatedl members, one bearing against the one casing member, and the other against the other casing member, and a spring tending to press said telescopic members apart.

3. An incased universal joint for power transmission, comprising in combination two connected `power transmitting universal joints provided with casing membersy curved approximately spherically near their proximate ends, andl a. closure intermediate said members and comprising two telescopicallyrelated members, one bearing against, .the

- approximately sphericallycurved portion of the one -casing member, and the other against the corresponding portion of the other casing member.

4. An incased universal joint for power transmission, comprising in ,combination two connected power transmitting universal joints provided with casing members curved approximately spherically near their proximate' ends, and a closure intermediate said members and comprising two telescopicallyrelated members, one bearing against the approximately spherically curved portion of the one casing member, and the other against the corresponding portion of the other casing member, anda spring tending to press said telescopic members apart.

5. An incased universal joint for power transmission, comprising in combination two connected power. transmitting universal joints provided with casing members, and

Ahaving a slip-joint connection with veach other, and a closure intermediate said members and comprising two telescopicallyrelated members, one bearing against the one casing member, and the other 'against the Aother casing member, and also comprising means keeping said telescopically-related members inv Contact with their respective casing members during act-ion of the slipjoint connection.

6. An incased universal .joint for power transmission, comprising in combinationtwo .connected power transmitting universal 'joints provided with casing members, and

having a slip-joint connection with each other, and a closure intermediate `said. members and comprising two telescopicallyrelated members, one bearing against the one casing member, and the other against the other casing member, and also comprising a spring for keeping said telescopically-related members in contact with their respective casing members during action of the sliptransmission, comprising in combination two connected power transmitting universal joints provided with casing members, and a closure intermediate said members and -comprising two telescopical-ly-related members, each comprising a rib forming a spring seat, and a spring seated against said ribs. and tending to press said telescopic members apart.

8. An incased universal joint for power transmission, comprising in combina-tion two connected power transmittin universal joints provided with casing members, and a closure intermediate said members and comprising two telescopically-related members, each comprising a rib forming a spring seat, and a spring seated against said ribs and tending to press said telescopic members apart, said ribs'grooved on their inner sides, and provided with packing material within said grooves. l

9. A double universal joint for power transmission, comprising in combination two power transmit-ting universal joints each comprising driving and driven members universally-connected, the driving member of one such joint and the driven member of the vother such joint comprising the one a projection of non-circular section, the other a projection provided with an aperture of corresponding non-circular section receiving the said projection of the other member, and forming therewith a slip joint, said two joints each comprising a casing member, and a closure, intermediate said casing members and comprising two telescopically-related members, one bearing against the one casing member, and the other against the other casing member, and further comprising means tending to force said casing members apart, whereby during action of the slip joint the said telescopic closure correspondngly extends or shortens as the case may In testimony whereof I have s ignedthis specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CLARENCE. .w. sPioiiR.

Witnesses:

J. W. B. PEARCE, ALFRED M. MORRELL. 

